Transgender case and wedding

Michael Zamora/Caller-Times William Loyd (left), wearing a jacket with the words “Love Shouldn’t Have To Be Defended,” escorts fiancé Nikki Araguz (center) as daughter Charlotte Loyd, 9, looks back at all the documentary cameras and members of the media following them out of the Nueces County Courthouse on Thursday after Araguz’s hearing in the Thirteenth Court of Appeals. Araguz, a transgender woman, is trying to collect benefits following former husband Thomas Araguz’s death in 2010. Thomas Araguz’s family argues that the marriage wasn’t valid because Nikki Araguz was born a man.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Michael Zamora/Caller-Times William Loyd (right) puts a ring on fiancé Nikki Araguz’s finger as the Rev. Michael Diaz with Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church in Houston officiates their wedding ceremony Thursday in front of the Nueces County Courthouse. The couple got married after Araguz’s hearing in the Thirteenth Court of Appeals. Araguz, a transgender woman, is trying to collect benefits following former husband Thomas Araguz’s death in 2010. Thomas Araguz’s family argues that the marriage wasn’t valid because Nikki Araguz was born a man.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Michael Zamora/Caller-Times Nikki Araguz (left) tears up as fiancé William Loyd gives her a kiss on the cheek Wednesday during their wedding ceremony in front of the Nueces County Courthouse. The couple got married following Araguz’s hearing in the Thirteenth Court of Appeals.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Michael Zamora/Caller-Times Simona Rodriguez Longoria (center), mother of Thomas Araguz, leaves the courthouse Thursday after their hearing in the Thirteenth Court of Appeals. Nikki Araguz, a transgender woman, is trying to collect benefits following former husband Thomas Araguz’s death in 2010. Thomas Araguz’s family argues that the marriage wasn’t valid because Nikki Araguz was born a man.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Michael Zamora/Caller-Times Nikki Araguz and fiancé William Loyd emerge from the courtroom Thursday after Araguz’s hearing in the Thirteenth Court of Appeals. Araguz, a transgender woman, is trying to collect benefits following former husband Thomas Araguz’s death in 2010. Thomas Araguz’s family argues that the marriage wasn’t valid because Nikki Araguz was born a man.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Michael Zamora/Caller-Times Nikki Araguz and fiancé William Loyd listen Thursday as the Rev. Michael Diaz with Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church in Houston officiates their wedding ceremony in front of the Nueces County Courthouse. The couple got married after Araguz’s hearing in the Thirteenth Court of Appeals. Araguz, a transgender woman, is trying to collect benefits following former husband Thomas Araguz’s death in 2010. Thomas Araguz’s family argues that the marriage wasn’t valid because Nikki Araguz was born a man.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Michael Zamora/Caller-Times Nikki Araguz smiles at fiancé William Loyd as he recites his vows Thursday in front of the Nueces County Courthouse. The couple got married after Araguz’s hearing in the Thirteenth Court of Appeals. Araguz, a transgender woman, is trying to collect benefits following former husband Thomas Araguz’s death in 2010. Thomas Araguz’s family argues that the marriage wasn’t valid because Nikki Araguz was born a man.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Michael Zamora/Caller-Times Nikki Araguz gives her new husband, William Loyd, a kiss Thursday following their wedding ceremony in front of the Nueces County Courthouse. The couple got married after Araguz’s hearing in the Thirteenth Court of Appeals. Araguz, a transgender woman, is trying to collect benefits following former husband Thomas Araguz’s death in 2010. Thomas Araguz’s family argues that the marriage wasn’t valid because Nikki Araguz was born a man.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Michael Zamora/Caller-Times Nikki Araguz dashes to the car in her patriotic wedding dress Thursday after marrying William Loyd in front of the Nueces County Courthouse. The couple got married after Araguz’s hearing in the Thirteenth Court of Appeals. Araguz, a transgender woman, is trying to collect benefits following former husband Thomas Araguz’s death in 2010. Thomas Araguz’s family argues that the marriage wasn’t valid because Nikki Araguz was born a man.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Michael Zamora/Caller-Times Nikki Araguz (center) and fiancé William Loyd listen Thursday as the Rev. Michael Diaz with Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church in Houston officiates their wedding ceremony in front of the Nueces County Courthouse. The couple got married after Araguz’s hearing in the Thirteenth Court of Appeals. Araguz, a transgender woman, is trying to collect benefits following former husband Thomas Araguz’s death in 2010. Thomas Araguz’s family argues that the marriage wasn’t valid because Nikki Araguz was born a man.